Next segment of La. 1 elevation progressing

Published: Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 8:39 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 8:39 p.m.

As state officials seek to rework the finances of the Leeville Bridge, the project's next phase to elevate La. 1 is beginning to take shape.

The bridge connects Leeville about 10 miles south of Golden Meadow to Port Fourchon on the Gulf.

Lafourche Parish officials say it is a vital link for trucks carrying supplies and equipment to the port, which generates significant tax revenue for the parish.

Having an elevated bridge to the port is necessary because the old portion of La. 1 is steadily sinking into the surrounding wetlands, according to La. 1 Coalition Director Henri Boulet.

About 10 miles of La. 1 runs from the southern most levee to the Leeville Bridge and has not been elevated.

The next phase for La. 1 will see it raised from inside the levee protection of Golden Meadow to the existing bridge leading to Fourchon.

State officials expect to finalize the design contract in January for the first part of the new phase to begin.

That phase has been divided into three sections that will eventually connect to the existing bridge, Boulet said.

The first segment will split from La. 3235 in Golden Meadow and rise above the levee.

Boulet said the state is building the next three segments starting in Golden Meadow instead of at the existing bridge in Leeville because of the “end on” construction technique used to build the bridge.

This technique sees much of the bridge built from the bridge itself instead of with barges in the surrounding wetlands.

“It is probably cheaper to build it from barges,” Boulet said. “We agreed with the environmental groups that we would build it in the most environmentally friendly way we could.”

The first segment is about 3,400 feet long and will cost about $45 million, Boulet said.

Boulet said Gov. Bobby Jindal has agreed to include money for the segment in the state's capital outlay bill.

It will be up to local legislators to see that the money is approved over the three-year window organizers are requesting, Boulet said.

Boulet said it will take a year and a half to produce the plans for the segment.

There are two other segments to stretch the bridge to Leeville, which will cost about $275 million, Boulet said.

While design and fundraising for the new segment carries on, state officials are looking to refinance debt tied to the existing bridge, said Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, who chairs the board that oversees the bridge tollway.

Adley said state Department of Transportation and Development officials say it is necessary to refinance about $175 million in debt to avoid doubling tolls on the bridge.

Tolls are to be increased 20 percent in January.

A recent state audit pointed out deficiencies in the state's toll-collection system.

But those deficiencies are being corrected, and the bridge is collecting revenue at a rate on par with industry standards, Boulet said.

<p>As state officials seek to rework the finances of the Leeville Bridge, the project's next phase to elevate La. 1 is beginning to take shape. </p><p>The bridge connects Leeville about 10 miles south of Golden Meadow to Port Fourchon on the Gulf. </p><p>Lafourche Parish officials say it is a vital link for trucks carrying supplies and equipment to the port, which generates significant tax revenue for the parish. </p><p>Having an elevated bridge to the port is necessary because the old portion of La. 1 is steadily sinking into the surrounding wetlands, according to La. 1 Coalition Director Henri Boulet.</p><p>About 10 miles of La. 1 runs from the southern most levee to the Leeville Bridge and has not been elevated.</p><p>The next phase for La. 1 will see it raised from inside the levee protection of Golden Meadow to the existing bridge leading to Fourchon. </p><p>State officials expect to finalize the design contract in January for the first part of the new phase to begin. </p><p>That phase has been divided into three sections that will eventually connect to the existing bridge, Boulet said.</p><p>The first segment will split from La. 3235 in Golden Meadow and rise above the levee. </p><p>Boulet said the state is building the next three segments starting in Golden Meadow instead of at the existing bridge in Leeville because of the “end on” construction technique used to build the bridge. </p><p>This technique sees much of the bridge built from the bridge itself instead of with barges in the surrounding wetlands. </p><p>“It is probably cheaper to build it from barges,” Boulet said. “We agreed with the environmental groups that we would build it in the most environmentally friendly way we could.”</p><p>The first segment is about 3,400 feet long and will cost about $45 million, Boulet said. </p><p>Boulet said Gov. Bobby Jindal has agreed to include money for the segment in the state's capital outlay bill. </p><p>It will be up to local legislators to see that the money is approved over the three-year window organizers are requesting, Boulet said. </p><p>Boulet said it will take a year and a half to produce the plans for the segment. </p><p>There are two other segments to stretch the bridge to Leeville, which will cost about $275 million, Boulet said. </p><p>While design and fundraising for the new segment carries on, state officials are looking to refinance debt tied to the existing bridge, said Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, who chairs the board that oversees the bridge tollway. </p><p>Adley said state Department of Transportation and Development officials say it is necessary to refinance about $175 million in debt to avoid doubling tolls on the bridge.</p><p>Tolls are to be increased 20 percent in January.</p><p>A recent state audit pointed out deficiencies in the state's toll-collection system.</p><p>But those deficiencies are being corrected, and the bridge is collecting revenue at a rate on par with industry standards, Boulet said.</p>